Detroit Tigers - what's next?

2007: great season, frustrating season! Watching the World Series, I can't help but think that if the Tigers had been able to make it to the post-season this year, they would have had a good shot to win it all. It was a really fun year watching the Tigers battle it out. It would have been nice to get a few extra wins and make the playoffs! When was the last time the Tigers went to the playoffs in back to back years?

I see that Mike Maroth was released by the Cardinals. I wonder if the Tigers will take another look at him? Interesting that the problem heading into 2007 was considered to be too much pitching, yet it seemed to be pitching that let them down. And injuries...and an inability to get the key hit when they needed it. And now there are a lot of question marks about the pitching staff.

Will Kenny Rogers return? Todd Jones? Is Joel Zumaya ready to be the closer? Can he return to his 2006 form? What about Fernand Rodney? He was really up and down.

Nice to build around Justin Verlander - he's the real deal! If he stays healthy, it will be very interesting to see how dominant he can become. Jeremy Bonderman also shows flashes of brilliance, but there's inconsistency there, too. Not sure how much the injuries affected him, but a noticeable dropoff in the 2nd half. Nate Robertson is one of my favorites because he never gives up - I love his spirit, but he needs to regain his control. Nate's problem this year was too many walks. In general, that's a problem the Tigers really need to work on - cutting down the walks. Very painful to beat yourself - at least make the other team put it in play.

I will also be very curious to see who the Tigers pick to be their everyday shortstop. I think moving Guillen to first is a good move as he clearly doesn't have the range to play short anymore. Great ballplayer, great bat! Can't play short. I like the willingness to move to first without a lot of drama. Today's ballplayers seem to feel entitled to...well...just about everything, so nice to see a player just accept the team's request and move on. Says a lot about the players and the team.

The other areas to shore up seem to include: left handed relief pitching and adding some left handed hitting.

More questions leaving 2007 than entering, but still a lot of great potential for some fun baseball over the coming seasons.

I have confidence in Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland. Do you?

See you on DIRECTV in April!